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Braves' Garcia looks sharp after 2 poor outings

KISSIMMEE, Fla. | Freddy Garcia bounced back from two rough outings, allowing two hits while pitching into the sixth inning Sunday as the Atlanta Braves beat a New York Mets' split-squad 4-1 on Sunday.

Justin Upton homered for the Braves while Freddie Freeman and B.J. Upton each were 2 for 3 with an extra-base hit and a walk.

Garcia, bidding begin the season as the No. 3 starter in the Braves' injury-depleted rotation, had allowed 10 runs over 6 2-3 innings in his previous two starts. But the veteran right-hander kept the Mets off balance with his assortment of pitches as he struck out four and walked one in 5 1-3 innings. He allowed an unearned run.

"My last couple of starts I don't pitch that great, so I need to show I can get people out," said the 37-year-old right-hander. "I skip one start. Now I'm refreshed."

The Braves have to make a decision soon on Garcia, who can opt out of his minor league deal Tuesday if he isn't guaranteed a spot on the 25-man roster.

Carlos Torres, who had allowed just one run in 10 innings, made his first start of the spring for the Mets, allowing six hits and two runs over four innings. The right-hander had four strikeouts and no walks.